Our Research

The CSCU Center for Quantum and Nanotechnology (QNT) maintains a highly productive research portfolio specializing in world-class nanotechnology investigations, materials science, and emerging technologies like quantum computing and sustainability.

The current research projects and core focus areas are reflected in the work conducted by faculty and students, particularly through the Industry Academic Fellowship (IAF) program and recent publications and presentations.

Energy Storage and Sustainable Materials Research

The QNT has a dedicated, new laboratory supporting research in next-generation energy storage technologies, including batteries and supercapacitors.

Research on the effect of binder concentration on ternary MnO2/CuS/reduced graphene oxide material for supercapacitor applications.
Optimization of manganese dioxide-carbon nanotube composite electrodes for supercapacitor applications.
Investigating the effect of multi-wall carbon nanotubes on the electrochemical performance of MnO2.
The use of waste Citrus Reticulata to assist in the preparation of cobalt oxide nanoparticles for supercapacitors.
Characterization of carbon nanotube/biochar-MnO2 composites for supercapacitor applications.
Collaboration with CCSU focusing on the development and characterization of novel nanoporous materials specifically engineered for hybrid supercapacitor applications.
Team-based sustainable nanotechnology research for energy justice in materials science and engineering.

Investigating the electrochemical pH-dependent degradation of NMC532 cathodes in lithium-ion batteries.
Advancing sustainable energy through a novel recycling extraction method for lithium-ion batteries.

Synthesis and analysis of supercapacitor materials.

Fuel cell functional progression examination, including the characterization of solid oxide fuel cells.

Exploring sustainable materials for energy storage applications.

Quantum Science and Computational Materials Modeling

The QNT has established a Quantum Team with an emphasis on computing to position the center in the emerging quantum-AI economy.

Development of quantum optimization algorithms.

Research into variational quantum eigensolvers and quantum approximate optimization algorithms.

Studies on hybrid quantum algorithms and their applications to classical hardware.

Advanced computational materials modeling and high-performance computing.

Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations for materials discovery.

Molecular dynamics simulations.

Theoretical studies of strongly-correlated, geometrically frustrated, magnetic and electronic systems in condensed matter physics, such as fluctuations in the triangular lattice Hubbard model.

Development of real-time immersive molecular simulation and exploration in virtual reality.

Biomedical and Life Science Applications

The center is expanding its focus to incorporate “soft” materials and life science initiatives, leveraging optical and spectroscopic techniques.

Developing new optical biopsy techniques using terahertz Raman spectroscopy.

Kidney tumor classification using multiphoton microscopy and deep learning.

IDH genotype classification of human glioma using resonance Raman spectroscopy.

Stokes Shift Spectroscopy and machine learning for human prostate cancer detection.

Evaluation of chemotherapeutic retinoic acid effects on breast cancer cells using native fluorescence spectroscopy and machine learning.

Interdisciplinary collaborations with Biology departments for biocompatibility studies and nanoparticle characterization, and with UConn Medical School on biomedical applications of nanomaterials.

A student in a lab coat dispenses chemicals into a beaker inside a hood

Nanomaterials Characterization and Fabrication

Projects utilize the QNT’s state-of-the-art facilities for microscopic analysis and material synthesis.

Nanomaterials characterization using advanced microscopy techniques.

Electron diffraction patterns and parameters using a Transmission Electron Microscope.

Machine learning applications in materials characterization.

Environmental applications, including biochar research and direct air capture technologies (in collaboration with Earth Science).

Advanced facilities and capabilities supporting thin film/nanofabrication and advanced materials synthesis.

Expansion of research capacity to include nanoscale material fabrication, complementing materials analysis and characterization expertise.

Two students sit infron of a bank of screens whil one points to an image on the screen explaining to the other.